Strike ballots at two West Yorkshire colleges over job cuts

Staff at Bradford College and Kirklees College are being balloted for strike action over plans to cut jobs and change contracts.

The ballots at both colleges will begin on Friday (13 April) and finish on Thursday 3 May.

Bradford College has announced plans to cut 75 jobs as part of an effort to tackle a funding deficit after the college was issued with a financial notice to improve in March.

At Kirklees College, a proposed restructure includes plans to axe 52 jobs, including teaching and learning support staff. The college is also planning changes to contracts which the union says could lead to increased workloads and worse terms and conditions for staff.

The union said the plans would hit students the hardest and urged the colleges to work with UCU to develop alternatives to cutting jobs.

UCU regional official, Julie Kelley, said: 'Job cuts would ultimately hit students the hardest. They would mean fewer learning opportunities for the people of Bradford and Kirklees, and a huge loss of valuable expertise at both institutions.

'Members feel they have been left with no option but to ballot for strike action in order to defend jobs and working conditions. We want both colleges to halt their damaging plans and work with us to develop alternative approaches.'